QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: GLOSSARY

Smoking

The most potent and most preventable cause of coronary heart disease and coronary thrombosis. Smoking damages the endothelium and directly stimulates the growth of platelet-rich thrombosis. Smoking also increases the blood levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline, which also stimulate the growth of platelet-rich thrombus.

The Coronary Thrombosis Trust regards tobacco advertising, and support of heart research by tobacco manufacturers (where there is a clear cut conflict of interest) as unethical.

< back to glossary